The Duke Stole Everything (1 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 4

The Newton Empire, having swallowed vast territories through countless wars, boasted numerous nobles with titles and diverse histories for each house.

Among them, the Gwendhill Grand Ducal House—the Empire’s sole grand ducal family—was exceptional.

“The House of Grand Duke Gwendhill maintains an absolute relationship with the Newton Imperial Family.”

“Indeed, for the Gwendhill lineage has protected the Newton Emperor generation after generation.”

“Who could possibly defy the Newton Emperor, who wields an invincible sword?”

As long as this symbiotic relationship endured, the Newton Emperor permitted any transgression by the Gwendhill family—so long as they did not commit treason.

Conversely, envy and resentment toward the House of Grand Duke Gwendhill, backed by the Emperor’s favor and the Imperial Family’s support, grew ever more secretive and tenacious.

“After all, why has the Imperial Family lavished everything upon the House of Grand Duke Gwendhill? Because they’re nobles you never have to worry will stab you in the back.”

“No matter how fiercely they’re thrown into wars, they return like ghosts.”

“And because of that, haven’t all the spoils of war gone straight to the House of Grand Duke Gwendhill!”

The House of Gwendhill possessed everything and showed no weakness. Naturally, as time passed, their influence and power only grew stronger.

Yes. That was precisely the problem.

“No matter how hard we strive or how desperately we curry favor with the Imperial Family, we remain stuck in this same place.”

“Isn’t it unfair when power tilts so heavily toward just one side?”

“The Newton Empire has stagnated all this time—precisely because one authority has long suppressed all others.”

Admiration, reverence, and yearning belonged to the common folk.

Greed, envy, and jealousy—the desire not merely to stand shoulder to shoulder but to trample others underfoot—were the nobles’ domain.

Thus, the nobles reached a consensus.

“No weakness? Every human, every person has flaws. If they bleed like humans, then of course they do.”

The primal desire to climb higher and possess more was a human instinct—the very “evil” that the Grand Duke of Gwendhill, called an emotionless ghost, could neither know nor comprehend.

“I hear the war will end soon.”

“Not much time remains. We must start moving.”

“Once the Grand Duke returns, he’ll be hailed as the hero who led countless wars to great victories. After he’s perfected, it’ll be too late. We must eliminate him just before completion.”

As signs of the long war’s end finally emerged, the noble faction of the Newton Empire grew impatient.

To preserve the power structure they’d comfortably seized while the Grand Duke was away at war, the noble faction banded tightly together.

“This is our only chance. We must strike precisely.”

Regardless of the war, the noble faction’s sinister schemes, aimed at enriching themselves, proceeded silently beneath the surface.

[This is the timeline separator]

Five years ago, upon swallowing the Kingdom of Krianet, the Newton Empire had grandly proclaimed the Great War—and now, at last, its end was in sight.

[Commander, are we heading back to the Grand Duchy now?] [Hey, what’s with ‘commander’? You should call him ‘General’!] [I’ve addressed him as ‘commander’ since childhood—it just sticks to the tongue.]

The Newton Imperial Army buzzed with excitement at the thought of finally returning home.

Thanks to Grand Duke Gwendhill, who led them as supreme commander, they’d survived countless battles.

Especially the knights of House Gwendhill—who comprised over half the Imperial Army—and the people of the Grand Duchy’s territories felt even more deeply moved.

“Thanks to General, even the wounded will make it home alive.”

“The Grand Ducal House even provided expensive potions for lowly foot soldiers like us.”

Contrary to popular belief, Grand Duke Leodert Gwendhill enjoyed an excellent reputation within the Imperial Army.

The Grand Duke respected every soldier’s dignity regardless of rank or status and valued their lives dearly.

Though always expressionless, taciturn, and exuding an untouchable aura, not a single soldier doubted his character.

“Enough. Maintain strict vigilance until we reach the capital.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Leodert’s gaze quietly settled as he watched his troops swept up in joy and relief.

Beyond the imposing Hab Mountain, famed for its massive waterfall, lay the border of the Newton Empire.

Throb. Throb.

[General, where are you going?] [Must I report my movements to you?] [Ah, no—I spoke out of turn.]

Ignoring the stares of soldiers from other houses boring into his back, Leodert stepped forward.

His sea-green eyes shimmered as they gazed beyond the sheer cliff formed by the waterfall.

“…Vast.”

The view from atop Hab Mountain’s waterfall cliff was breathtaking enough to make one’s heart race—fertile, expansive lands spread out below in a single glance.

Once he delivered his victory report to the Emperor, that border would expand even further.

“Vast.”

Leodert concealed a self-mocking smile.

Back in the capital, preparations for his homecoming ceremony were surely in full swing.

Soon, his Imperial Army would march into the palace through an ostentatious, cumbersome ceremony—and he himself would be forced to remain at court for quite some time, dancing to the tune of hollow formalities.

“My plan, Grand Duke, is to make you the hero of my Empire—so grandly that no one will dare challenge it. Hah! That should keep the noble faction lying low for a while. They won’t dare open their mouths before me needlessly, and I won’t have to stain your hands with blood unnecessarily.”

Though ruler of the world’s largest territory, the current Emperor of the Newton Empire remained insatiably greedy for land.

Fortunately, he was also a magnanimous sovereign, capable of embracing even surrounding territories. Precisely because this Emperor cared more for the people’s hearts than for flattering nobles, Leodert willingly played along.

Peace. And the unwavering, unassailable influence of House Gwendhill. For these two things alone, Leodert moved strictly according to imperial decree.

“…”

The roaring waterfall briefly accompanied his fleeting thoughts.

Leodert quietly steadied his breath, ignoring the persistent ache in his thigh.

After countless battlefields, how could he possibly have emerged unscathed? Of course, this wound wasn’t from any skilled opponent.

“Die!! You demon’s servant, worshiping that butcher!!”

“C-Commander!!”

Of all soldiers, it had to be the most inexperienced and youngest one in the Imperial Army who caught the enemy’s eye. The moment the boy—a novice knight who idolized Grand Duke Gwendhill—was about to lose his head, Leodert sacrificed his own thigh to the enemy’s blade to save him.

“Commander! We must stop the bleeding immediately…”

“Quiet. It’s nothing.”

Some of Leodert’s subordinates had noticed early on, but none dared speak up.

The Supreme Commander, Grand Duke Gwendhill, had to remain a flawless, invulnerable figure.

For the army’s morale—and to endure as the symbol of the Newton Empire.

“Tch.”

Because he’d urged the horses faster for the soldiers eager to return home, the gash on his thigh had deepened steadily.

Though such a wound was trivial to him, the scent of blood was far from pleasant.

“…”

Amid the thunderous roar of the waterfall, he sensed movement.

“Late.”

A cold, humorless smirk touched Leodert’s lips.

Slowly, he turned his body, putting the cliff’s edge behind him.

“I wondered when you’d show up.”

As Leodert muttered darkly, the bushes around the waterfall rustled in unison. Soon, shadowy human figures emerged from within.

“So the war’s won, and now you hunt the hounds—just as His Majesty said. Nobles never change.”

Leodert’s indifferent tone ended with a scornful, self-mocking edge.

The shadowy figures, brandishing blades, closed in steadily, trying to corner Leodert at the cliff’s edge.

“Come.”

Leodert drew his sword quietly and gave a slight nod.

Shink! Blades laced with poison flew simultaneously toward Leodert’s vital points.

Clang! Clang!

Leodert effortlessly deflected the attacks, his sword cleaving through the shadows.

But the shadows didn’t vanish. Instead, they clung to him with relentless, murderous intent.

Frowning, Leodert narrowed his eyes at the invisible, coordinated strikes targeting only his vitals.

“A mage is present.”

No matter how many he cut or stabbed, they wouldn’t end.

He needed to eliminate the mage controlling the shadows first.

“Pointless.”

With a single sweep of his blade, Leodert shredded all the shadows at once. He tilted his head, his emotionless sea-green eyes scanning beyond the dissipating darkness.

At that moment—

“General!”

Imperial soldiers charged in. With their aid, the number of shadows dwindled rapidly.

“How dare you target the Supreme Commander!!”

“You’ll pay with your lives!!”

These were soldiers whose lives Leodert had saved in past battles. Roaring with fury, they fought fiercely to protect him.

The waterfall swallowed all their cries.

“Phew! All done!”

“This one’s the last, General.”

The soldiers who’d just slain the final shadow approached Leodert, beaming.

After glancing around, Leodert spoke.

“Were you on patrol?”

“Yes. We can’t afford to let our guard down.”

The soldier grinned.

“At any moment.”

Then, the soldiers swung their swords at Leodert as they drew near.

“Aaagh!”

Of course, Leodert wasn’t foolish enough to believe their clumsy act.

But he was indeed in a state where he now had a weakness.

“Heh heh, our General is wounded, isn’t he? The scent of blood reaches us even here.” “Your loyal subordinates won’t come to your aid—they’re probably locked in their own deadly skirmish by now.”

“Just for a moment! Aim for the thigh first!!”

Even as Leodert’s blade carved into their shoulders, the soldiers pressed on stubbornly.

Then Leodert saw their bodies beginning to swell unnaturally.

“!”

The mage controlling the shadows had ultimately turned the soldiers themselves into living bombs.

Kaboooom—! As Leodert shifted to evade the explosion, his body tilted momentarily—and his enemies didn’t miss the opening.

The soldiers clung to Leodert’s body and drove their blades recklessly into him.

“Fools.”

Even as agony tore through his abdomen, Leodert showed no sign of distress—only an annoyed expression as he swung his sword.

Thud. At that instant, one soldier struck Leodert’s forehead with the hilt of his sword.

“For the Newton Empire!!!!”

Blood streamed from the wound on his brow as Leodert frowned. The dying soldiers all clung to him at once and leapt off the cliff.

Screeech—! Just before being swept into the waterfall, Leodert jammed his sword into the cliffside, saving himself from the fall.

The problem was the mage, who’d poked his head over the cliff edge and summoned more shadows.

“…So you intend to finish this?”

It was sheer determination—not to let their guard down until the job was perfectly done.

Leodert’s decision was swift.

He yanked his sword free and plunged straight into the waterfall below.

A hazy sky. Turbulent, churning waters.

And the crushing impact against his entire body.

Death, which he’d always gazed upon, now loomed right before his eyes.

Yet, as always, the gods refused to take him.

Clutching only faint unconsciousness, Leodert survived the crisis.

And his final memory was of a damp, dark cave.